HarperFiction pre-empts 'propulsive' Blake thriller as rights snapped up in 25 territories

HarperFiction has pre-empted a “propulsive” thriller from M J Blake, which has sold in 25 territories within the last fortnight.

Kimberley Young, executive publisher, and Phoebe Morgan, editorial director, bought UK and Commonwealth rights to Anna O from Madeline Milburn at The Madeline Milburn Literary Agency in a two-book deal. US rights went to Sara Nelson at Harper US at auction, while Iris Tupholme pre-empted for Harper Canada. It is due to publish in 2024. 

Anna O tells the story of Anna Ogilvy, a young writer who stabs two people to death in her sleep with no apparent motive and then never wakes up. Her deep sleep is known by neurologists as "resignation syndrome", a rare functional psychosomatic disorder. The tabloid press dubs her "Sleeping Beauty". 

As Anna shows the first signs of stirring, forensic psychologist Dr Benedict Prince is brought in to determine what really happened that night and whether Anna should be held criminally responsible for her actions when she finally wakes up. Only Anna O knows the truth about that night, but only Dr Prince knows how to discover it. 

Morgan said: “The moment Anna O came in on submission we were blown away by the incredible proposition and M J Blake’s propulsive writing. I have always been fascinated by sleep-related crimes and I am honoured that M J has chosen HarperFiction as his publishing home. The phenomenon of people who’ve committed murder with their eyes open but their brains still asleep is utterly fascinating. As his very over-excited editor, I cannot wait for readers to meet Anna O!” 

Blake added: “As soon as I discovered the phenomenon of mystery illnesses and sleep-related crime, I knew that was my eureka moment. Sleep has always fascinated me as the one genuinely universal human experience. Since submission, the global response to Anna O has been beyond anything I could have imagined. Growing up reading iconic mystery thrillers like And Then There Were None and The Silence of the Lambs, I dreamed of writing a thriller that truly resonated with audiences across the world. The last two weeks have been a breathless and life-changing experience. I’m so excited to be working with such amazing publishing teams globally to bring Anna’s story to readers and introduce the mysterious world of sleep crime.” 

Milburn also commented: “Anna O has created a whirlwind of excitement across the publishing world. Within hours of submitting, I was receiving pre-empts in the UK and North America before activity erupted on the global scene, with our rights department holding auctions across the world. Anna O has sold in record-breaking speed at unparalleled levels to publishers in over 25 territories in two-book deals, with multiple auctions still ongoing. This level of activity is testament to the global brand M J Blake is destined to become.”